THE ORGANIZATION
Stanford Management Company (SMC), the University’s investment office, invests the Merged Pool,
which includes substantially all of the University’s investable endowment assets. The investment portfolio
is designed with the dual goals of preserving the purchasing power of the Endowment for future
generations of Stanford students and scholars and enabling a robust annual disbursement to the
University’s operating budget. SMC primarily relies on carefully chosen external partners to select
individual securities, allowing Stanford to benefit from specialized knowledge in asset classes that reward
superior active management.
ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
SMC is seeking a Managing Director of Stakeholder Engagement to develop and execute stakeholder
relations strategies and outreach to various SMC constituencies. In this unique role, the Managing Director
will serve as a key member of the SMC leadership team reporting to SMC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
and working closely with SMC’s stakeholders, which include senior members of the Stanford community,
the media, and policy makers. It is anticipated that this role to be equivalent to 50% of a full-time position,
with time demands varying throughout the year. The ideal candidate will have substantial investment and
intellectual acumen combined with excellent judgment, interpersonal, and communication skills. The
individual will represent Stanford with a deep understanding of SMC’s fiduciary duties and the University’s academic mission.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Ability to understand complex investment issues and communicate important policies.
• Maintain strong understanding of Merged Pool portfolio and SMC investment strategy.
• Design and execute stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Represent SMC to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare key messages and responses to inquiries.
• Advise senior management on complex communications issues and managing reputational risk.
• Coordinate with SMC and University leadership to ensure alignment of messaging.
• Work closely with, and serve as a resource for, Stanford’s Office of Investment Responsibility on
responsible investment and environmental, social, and governance matters.
QUALIFICATIONS
• A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in the investment or related industry.
• Substantial familiarity with institutional investment management and the importance of endowment
fiduciary duties.
• Whether in previous investment roles, or related content rich relationship or client focusing
investment roles, proven experience in communicating complex top-down and bottom-up investment
concepts.
• A demonstrated leader with professional credibility, and ability to collaborate and cultivate
relationships with internal and external constituents, and to represent SMC in a highly professional
manner.
• Impeccable character with high ethical standards consistent with those articulated by Stanford
Management Company and Stanford University leaders.
• Ability to be nimble and act quickly, applying discretion and judgment to sensitive situations involving
a diverse set of constituents.
• Strong interpersonal, emotional intelligence, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong academics expected.
OPPORTUNITY
This important and sensitive role requires a unique combination of emotional, intellectual, and
investment depth. The role was previously done by a senior member of the investment team who is
retiring. Although this is not an investment role, the successful candidate must be credible and
comfortable discussing the details of SMC’s portfolio and long-term investment philosophy. He/she will
possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen and communicate with stakeholders who
may have strongly held views. These stakeholders will include senior members of the Stanford
community, the media, and policy groups. This individual will be passionate abut the institution and be
committed to representing Stanford with a deep understanding of its academic mission and the sensitive
nature of potential stakeholder topics. Most importantly, the successful candidate will understand and
maintain the fiduciary mindset to properly (legally and professionally) represent SMC’s investment
principles but with empathy, compassion, and patience.
Passion for the mission, understanding of the portfolio and SMC’s long-term investment philosophy,
superb and empathetic communication skills, and an impeccable fiduciary mindset are all critical to
success in this important position.
LOCATION
Stanford, CA
SUBMIT RESUMES TO
Meg Morris, David Barrett Partners
mmorris@davidbarrettpartners.com
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